VMware Fusion

Main article: Virtualization. Classification and scopes

VMware Fusion is the software allowing to create virtual machines in which it is possible to start the applications developed for other operating systems, including Windows and Linux. Both 32-bit, and 64-bit versions of OS are supported.

2020: VMware Fusion 12

On August 26, 2020 it became known of an exit of a desktop product for Mac OS - VMware Fusion 12. This product was in the status of the technology preview of Fusion Tech Preview 20H1 since the beginning of 2020.

VMware Fusion 12

VMware Fusion 12 appeared:

Support of macOS 11.0 Big Sur

VMware made a set of optimization for the version of macOS Big Sur - both for guest, and for hostovy OS. The architecture of Fusion also underwent changes to correspond to structure Apple of hypervisor API. There is no need for kernel extensions to start Fusion that does the platform of safer.

Also Fusion 12 will support completely macOS Catalina at availability to loading and also at once will be compatible also to Big Sur. For Catalina kernel extensions will be still used, and for Big Sur containers and clusters of Kubernetes will use already API Apple.

Improvements of work with containers and Kubernetes engine

In Fusion 12 the vctl utility can execute the vctl login command for the permanent login in the register of a container without need to write a complete URL way at accomplishment of pull for an image. It is also possible to unroll local clusters of Kind on Kubernetes. In addition to support of kind, vctl creates a docker-compatible socket for kind without modification due to own implementation of containerd.

Support of DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1

Workstation 16 supports start of games and applications with version 11 Direct3D (it is DirectX 11) or OpenGL 4.1. Users can select up to 8 GB of vRAM for guest OS (for this purpose the virtual machine should have 16 GB or more RAM).

Support of eGPU

Fusion 12 Player and Fusion 12 Pro support eGPU devices. At the expense of it tasks, exacting to graphics, can be transferred from the integrated or discrete GPU to the external graphic card.

Installation from Recovery Partition using APFS

Support of APFS for the macOS installation from the section of Recovery Partition that it was possible to develop guest OS of Mac quickly was added.

Compatibility with vSphere 7

Connections with ESXi vCenter 7 and 7 for control of virtual machines, including their movement between hosts and compatibility with infrastructure of virtual are supported PC. It is available only in Pro-versions.

The engine of rendering of graphics in a sandbox

The Sandbox Renderer function allows to separate the virtual graphic engine, having given it the lowered privileges that does the Fusion and Workstation platforms by safer.

The improved special opportunities

The product conforms to the VPAT Section 508 standard for persons with limited opportunities.

Support of USB 3.1 and other improvements

In the version of Fusion 12 the virtual devices USB 3.1 are supported, they can be forwarded in virtual machines with a full support of drivers. Besides, the set of improvements in the plan of performance, security was made and also many bugs are fixed.

With a release of the version of Fusion 12 also the license policy exchanged. The cost of the Pro-version became $199, instead of $159. There is no version of Fusion Standard for $79 any more, instead of it the product Fusion Player (with the same functions) which costs $149 succeeded:

Price policy of Workstation 16 and Fusion 12

VMware Fusion Player 12 is completely free for personal use (not at work). The sense of this edition is that it is similar to Workstation Player on Windows platforms and Linux.

The users who purchased VMware Fusion 11.5 or VMware Fusion 11.5 Pro after June 15 will receive a free key on Fusion 12. Product availability is expected already in the nearest future.

2018

Version of VMware Fusion 11

On September 28, 2018 it became known of the updated functionality of the product VMware Fusion 11 for virtualization on the Mac OS platform.

1. The improved graphic Enhanced Metal Graphics Rendering Engine engine with support Direct3D 10.1.

Support of compatibility with DirectX 10.1 was added, and the graphic engine is significantly finished. It included support anti-aliasinga, shaders of Geometry shaders, games and applications which work with DirectX 11 (in the compatibility mode with 10.1) or directly 10.1. All this is supported in virtual machines Windows 7, 8 or 10.

2. The improved interface and the menu of applications.

In Fusion 11 there was Application Menu which allows to get access to VM inventory, change of a display mode, settings, snapshots and applications to one click.

The menu works both with included, and with the switched-off virtual machine, and allows to manage it.

3. The improved integration with Finder.

The upper Finder menu allows to pass quickly into any place with objects of VM. Besides, it is possible to drag name VM in Terminal (or any other text box) that will copy in it a way to VM.

4. Customization of a tachbar.

Now tachbar Mack can be customized for accomplishment of contextual functions in Fusion for VM library and a window of the console of the machine.

5. The updated Fusion REST API v1.2.

Appeared in Fusion 10 Pro, the Fusion REST API interface received additional functions on control over network interaction, such as baynding between DHCP and Mack, NAT Port Forwarding and other now.

6. Access function to SSH virtual machines Linux in one click.

Opportunity in one click to get to the SSH console on Linux machine became available, having selected the item "Connect to SSH..." from the VM context menu:

7. The updated type of infrastructure of vSphere.

For ESXi 6.7 and installation of vCenter Server Appliance 6.7, in VMware Fusion 11 Pro now it is possible to use representation of Hosts and Clusters at connection from deleted (or local nested) infrastructure. Now it is possible to browse resources on machines, pools and clusters for control of an environment of vSphere:

8. Improvements of a fuknktion of Automated Disk Cleanup.

This function appeared in Fusion 10, it allows to release automatically the place from free blocks on disk VM at its switching off. Now it works quicker.

9. Improvements of Virtual Network Simulation.

The functions of simulation of the entering and outbound traffic which appeared in 2017 were improved. Possibilities of restriction of capacity, the wastage rate of packets and a delay (latency) can be used for the purposes of testing.

10. Improvements of Virtual Hardware 16.

Virtual Hardware of version 16 of the Fusion 11 platform supports the last systems of Apple: 18-core iMac Pro and MacBook Pro with 6 cores of Intel i9 CPU. Also here several moments were improved:

• Performance improvements of Virtual NVMe Device.
• Important security updates (close vulnerabilities of Spectre, Meltdown and L1TF).
• The improved support of Virtual Trusted Platform Module.
• The UEFI Secure Boot functions began to work better.
• Support of IOMMU.
• The improved support of Microsoft Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) - Device Guard, Credential Guard (only for guest OS^[1]).

11. Support of OS.

Now Fusion 11 supports the following operating systems:

• macOS 10.14 Mojave – both guest, and hostovy.
• Windows 10 October 2018 Update – guest
• Windows Server 2016 updates is guest
• Ubuntu 18.04.1, Fedora 28 is guest
• VMware Photon OS is guest
• VMware of ESXi 6.7 – guest

Technology preview of VMware Fusion 2018

On June 25, 2018 the VMware company announced release of the technology preview of the product VMware Fusion 2018.

DirectX 10.1 – in the provided Fusion appeared support of DirectX 10.1 which gives several advantages:

• Full support of MSAA technology (Multisample anti-aliasing)
• Support of shaders of version 4.1
• Cubemap array support

These opportunities, first of all, will be noticeable in games. For work of DirectX 10.1 macOS of version 10.13.0 will be necessary above.

Experimental support of macOS Mojave Beta – Fusion Tech Preview 2018 supports macOS 10.14 Mojave both for hosts, and for the guest OS (which are officially loaded with Mac App Store). Upgrade from the last systems in this version is not supported.

Representation ESXi of Host/cluster at connection with server vCenter – is added now representation of Hosts and Clusters in which users can see not only objects virtual machines. For example, it is possible to look at Datacenter> Cluster> Resource Pool> vApp.

The additional menu of applications (Application Menu) – completely processed menu uses REST API to create user experience similar to Library Window. This menu supports the following transactions:

• Creation of VM
• Transactions with a power supply of VM
• Switching between different representations (Unity, Full Screen, Windowed)
• Context search for Windows applications
• The IP and MAC display of the virtual machine and also the selected resources (CPU, RAM)
• Opening of the VM settings

Application Menu

Support of a kastomizabelny tachbar - on the supported MacBooks the user can configure now Mac Touch Bar to manage display of a visual tachbar for the following scenarios:

• Library Window
• VM Window

Touch Bar configuration

SSH login for VM Linux – users can come now on SSH on VM Linux one click. The login and the password can be remembered, or it is possible to set setup to ask their every time.

Connection on SSH to VM Linux

The release of final versions of products is expected in the fall of 2018.^[2]

2017

Final version of Fusion 10

On September 26, 2017 the VMware company announced release of the final version of the desktop VMware Fusion 10 virtualization platform^[3].

As a part of functionality of VMware Fusion 10:

• Support of VMware Hardware version 14.
• The interface is the Information panel for VM in library and the improved master of creation of VM.
• Support of guest and hostovy OS:
• * Windows 10 Creators Update
• * Ubuntu 17.04
• * Fedora 26
• * RHEL 7.4
• * Debian 9.1
• * OpenSUSE 42.3
• * SLE 12 SP3
• * macOS 10.13
• Completely processed Fusion REST API on the basis of Swagger.
• Support of Metal Graphics library on a host instead of OpenGL.
• Support of the MacBook interface.
• The improved network management - the simulator of behavior of real network with the set delays in the channel, management of the rules NAT for any VM.
• Manual installation of permission from hostovy OS from the View menu.
• vSphereESXi Control function / Host Power Operation (only the version of Fusion Pro).
• Support of Guest VBS (Virtualization Based Security) and Secure Boot (only the version of Fusion Pro).
• Integration with VMware PhotonOS.
• The updated vmrun utility is management for VM NIC, redirection of ports and loading of the Photon OS template.
• Function of autocleaning of disk space.
• Scanning on existence of VM in library.
• The improved master of migration of the physical PC.
• The improved functions of import of the virtual module vCSA (only Fusion Pro) due to native support of OVA/OVF.
• Possibilities of Virtual TPM 2.0.

VMware Fusion Tech Preview 2017

In July there was upgraded version of the technology preview of VMware Fusion Tech Preview 2017.^[4]

The optimized interface

The Information panel for each VM in library in which it is visible the IP address, the MAC address and the version of guest OS is added. Besides, the master of creation of new VM who gives more control over this process is completely processed.

The processed Fusion REST API

Fusion provides the RESTful API interface now on the basis of Swagger which allows to manage inventory for VM, a power supply, cloning, network settings, a configuration of shared folders, receiving the addresses, etc. From the document Getting Started with VMware Fusion REST API it is possible to obtain more complete information about this opportunity.

Support of Metal Graphics library on a host

Instead of OpenGL the Apple company enters Metal library which is supported from Fusion. It allows to render with smaller energy costs 3D - to the diagram. At the same time an opportunity to turn off support of Metal and to return on OpenGL remains.

Support of tachbar new MacBook

MacBook Pro from tachbara are compatible to Fusion now. They can be used for control of virtual machines.

The improved network management

Using the expanded Network Adapter Advanced Settings settings it is possible to simulate behavior of real network with delays in the channel that is convenient for the purposes of development and testing. Also virtual network adapters it is possible to rename Virtual Network Editor. Besides, management of the rules NAT appeared.

Manual installation of permission from hostovy OS

In the version of Fusion 2017 it is not necessary to expose permission in guest OS (Retina or normal). It can be done from the View menu.

Control functions of vSphere/ESXi Host Power Operation

From VMware Fusion it is possible to manage a host servers of VMware of ESXi and the vCenter server. Now these opportunities include transactions with a power supply (reset and switching off of hosts) and also an input and an exit from the mode of service (maintenance mode).

Support of Guest VBS and Secure Boot

Fusion 2017 supports VBS technology (Virtualization Based Security) which is available to OS Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016. Also expansion of this support to release is expected. Besides, functions of safe loading are adapted for desktop platforms.

Integration with VMware Photon OS

In version 2017 Docker containerization mechanism and also means of Kubernetes for start of containers is supported.

The updated vmrun utility

VMware expanded possibilities of this utility due to adding of control functions for VM NIC, a forvarding of ports and downloading of the Photon OS template.

Function of autocleaning of disk space

In expanded settings there is a Clean up disks after shutting down this virtual machine function which allows to return automatically disk space in hostovy OS at switching off of VM.

Scanning regarding existence of VM in library

If there are virtual machines which are absent in library, it is possible to put them in the folder ~ / Virtual Machines, and they will appear in library.

It is possible to load VMware Fusion Tech Preview 2017 according to the link.

2016: VMware Fusion 8.5: Free updating

At the end of August, 2016 VMware announced upgraded versions of the software for virtualization of Fusion and Workstation. The company decided not to take money from the acting users of these products for transition to new products.

On August 30, 2016 Fusion 8.5, Fusion Pro 8.5, Workstation Player 12.5 and Workstation Pro 12.5 were provided. Support Windows 10 Anniversary Edition — the first large updating new became the main innovation operating system Microsoft.

Demonstration of tabs for virtual machines in VMware Fusion 8.5 for Mac, a photo of VMware

Users of VMware Fusion 8.5 and Workstation 12.5 Pro will be able to start Windows 10 on Mac OS. Besides, all versions of VMware Fusion will support macOS Sierra and also integration with the voice assistant to Siri Apple and operation of several virtual machines in one window by means of tabs. Also in all updated solutions errors were corrected and work performance is increased.

Those who use VMware Fusion 8.0 and Workstation 12.0 can upgrade to versions 8.5 and 12.5 free of charge. Users of versions of Fusion and Fusion Pro lower than 8.0 should pay in addition 49 and 119 dollars respectively whereas in a case with Workstation Player and Workstation Pro below the 12th version surcharge for updating makes 79 and 149 dollars respectively.

For new users the cost of Fusion 8.5 is equal to $80, Fusion Pro of $8.5 — 120, Workstation Player of $12.5 — 150, Workstation Pro of $12.5 — 250. All products are available to acquisition in VMware online store.

As the manager on product marketing of VMware Michael Roy noted, the company reacted to complaints of users who were dissatisfied that they should pay every year for updating of Fusion and Workstation to which support of new OS is added.

Michael Roy also added that despite staff changes (in January, 2016 the company dismissed a part of Fusion and Workstation developers) and the forthcoming merge of EMC and Dell, VMware still "it is alive and healthy".^[5]

We are very glad to what we have. Definitely we are not dead — the representative of VMware said, noting importance of free updating of new software for virtualization.

2014:

VMware Fusion 7

On September 24, 2014 the VMware company announced an exit of the new product VMware Fusion 7 for work with Windows in the environment of Mac.

The solution is completely optimized for use with the latests version of the equipment and the software of Mac. VMware Fusion 7 quickly and reliably starts Windows applications on Mac computers without the need for reset of a system. Software is recommended for beginners and experienced users of Mac, wishing to continue to use crucial Windows applications.

As a part of updates:

• Support of OS X Yosemite is Use of key features of design of Yosemite, including transparency of windows, the improved work of the toolbars and the simplified icon of Dock is complemented by Fusion with 7 new characteristics during the work with virtual machines. A system also supports Yosemite control functions, providing uniform experience with all operating system.
• Powerful virtual machines with support of graphics — Allows to create the virtual machines using up to 16 virtual CPUs, virtual disks with a capacity up to 8 of Tb and RAM to 64 GB for start of the most exacting applications. Big requests of programs to a graphic subsystem can be satisfied due to selection up to 2 GB of video memory on one virtual machine now.
• Support of the newest versions Mac — the Fusion 7 System is optimized for work with the latest processors Intel Core i5, i7 and Xeon E5, it provides a gain in CPU capacity to 43% in applications for processing of multimedia enciphering, interpretation and other tasks requiring high performance. Using more high-speed memory, the SDD drives Mac and also total powers, Fusion 7 allows users to start applications Windows with almost natural performance.
• The increased efficiency — Fusion 7 cuts power consumption on Mac, helping users to work longer without recharge of the battery. After activation (Idle Wake Up) each Watt of the Mac battery most effectively allows to use improvements in support of App Nap and reduction of turn-on time. Fusion 7 provides decrease in power consumption by 42% in comparison with Fusion 6.

• Optimization for the Retina display — Work of Windows with optimization under Retina displays provides the accurate and detailed display of Windows applications. If the Mac computer is equipped with the Retina display or connected to such device, Fusion 7 will help users to work freely with Windows applications on all categories of displays.

The Fusion 7 window on the PC under Yosemite OS

VMware Fusion 7 Pro

VMware Fusion 7 Pro provides the new level of virtualization for Mac with more powerful functions developed for professionals who want to start Windows applications on Mac without reset. Advanced users, developers and IT administrators rely on Fusion Pro to receive high performance, reliability and to seize the newest opportunities at applications launch of Windows on Mac.

Updates

• support OS and full compatibility — SOFTWARE Fusion 7 Pro is developed for OS X Yosemite and completely supports the latest operating systems Microsoft — from Windows 8.1 on desktop PCs and to Windows 2012 R2 for servers. For the organizations and the technical specialists working with the latest versions Linux, Fusion 7 Pro provides support Ubuntu 14.04 RHEL 7, CentOS 7 Fedora 20, Debian 8 and many other systems.
• expanded support of solutions of VMware — connection to VMware vSphere or VMware Workstation became possible Now that allows to expand and scale virtual machines, using private clouds. Users can easily be connected to the virtual machines placed on servers and also load and start virtual machines directly through Fusion 7 Pro.
• Optimization of double graphics of Dual GPU — For the MacBook Pro computers using the discrete graphics adapters GPU together with built in allows to select Fusion 7 Pro between them for start of 3-D applications. The choice for benefit of the built-in GPU provides increase in operating time of the battery, and use of discrete GPU guarantees more than high performance 3-D of applications on the virtual machine.
• Enhanced capabilities of connections and support of iSight — the Cameras iSight which equip Mac computers can be used for participation in conferences from Windows virtual machines now. Fusion 7 Pro also supports USB 3.0 for fast file transfer, HD Audio 5.1 and Bluetooth 4.0.
• The improved performance — the New status light of Fusion Pro Virtual Machine Library virtual machines allows users to browse easily not used virtual machines and to switch-off them for increase in overall performance of a system. Fusion 7 Pro also gives the chance to create the labels of applications configured by users quickly to open or switch to the necessary virtual machine.

Prices, availability and localization

Are available to VMware Fusion 7 and VMware Fusion 7 Pro to loading on vmware.com for $69.99 and $149.99 respectively. VMware Fusion 7 Pro is available by request at partners and distributors of VMware.

The customers who purchased VMware Fusion 6 or VMware Fusion 6 Professional from August 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014 can receive electronic updating to VMware Fusion 7 or VMware Fusion 7 Pro free of charge. Learn more about the program of electronic updating of VMware Fusion for the link.

The discount is provided to users of VMware Fusion 5 and 6 upon transition to VMware Fusion of $7-49.99, to VMware Fusion 7 Pro - $79.99.

Free trial version of VMware Fusion is available.

VMware Fusion is delivered in the English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, simplified Chinese and Japanese languages.

2013: VMware Fusion 6

The VMware company announced release of the new version of VMware Fusion 6 which contains more than 50 new features ensuring functioning with Windows applications on the Mac platform. Besides, the company released the new version of VMware Fusion 6 Professional which possibility is promoted by process improvements of deployment of corporate desktops on Mac and PC computers and also VMware Workstation 10 — the new version of the product for virtualization.

VMware Fusion 6 is recommended for home use and suits those who look for an easy and fast way to start Windows applications on the Mac computer. Among new opportunities there are platforms: support of Mac OS X Mavericks — an opportunity to use the Mavericks functions in the environment of Windows (support of several displays connected to the Mac computer and the improved support of dictation in Windows applications); support of Windows 8.1 — an opportunity to use all opportunities of Windows 8.1 thanks to applications launch from Windows Store in parallel with applications for Mac (VMware Fusion 6 allows to browse applications from Windows Store in Launchpad or the Applications folder and to add them on the Dock panel in the Unity mode); the improved user interface — the increased convenience of work of users, the improved utility of transfer from PC, the simplified Windows installation, more detailed choice of resources of the computer — all this is designed to optimize work with Windows applications on Mac computers.

VMware Fusion 6 is optimized for work with latest models of Mac computers and also allows to create virtual machines with support to 16 virtual processors, virtual disks with a capacity of 8 TB and up to 64 GB of RAM, capable to start even the most resource-intensive Windows applications on Mac computers, claim in the company.

VMware Fusion 6 Professional includes all opportunities of Fusion 6 and also more composite professional functions designed to optimize delivery of corporate applications to users of Mac and PC. Among key features of this version: expanded restrictions for virtual machines — in Fusion 6 Professional adjustment of restrictions for virtual machines is improved thanks to what IT administrators have even more opportunities of control over deployment of corporate desktops; the connected duplicates — give the chance to users to create a set of copies of the virtual machine, without copying completely contents of an initial disk what economy of disk space on the user Mac computer is result of; the mode of one virtual machine — deprivation of users of an opportunity to create new virtual machines and shutdown of access to certain functions of applications allows to reduce the number of addresses to a support service and to increase work performance.

Thanks to an opportunity to set date and time of expiration of VMware Fusion 6 Professional virtual machines does possible deployment of corporate virtual machines for the companies contractors and also allows software developers to provide demoversions of the products in the form of virtual devices with limited validity period.

At last, VMware Fusion 6 Professional allows to apply VMware Player 6 Plus to work with the virtual machines limited to security policy created in VMware Fusion 6 Professional on the PC running Windows and Linux.

2012: VMware Fusion 5

• The simplified installation - it is necessary just to start VMware Fusion.app or to drag it in an installation site, for removal of a product it is possible to drag an icon in a basket.
• Support of Windows 8 in virtual machines - Fusion 5 completely supports the Metro interface in guest Windows 8 OS, has a separate profile of the keyboard and also a possibility of import of physical PCs to VM. Also the Windows 8 installation in the Boot Camp mode is supported.
• Support of VMware of ESXi 5, Ubuntu 12.04, Fedora 17 and Windows Server 2012 in guest OS.
• The full support of hosts and design for OS X Mountain Lion - VMware Fusion uses Mountain Lion notification center for display of important messages. Besides it is possible to look for Windows programs in Launchpad and also to use "AirPlay Mirroring" for streaming of Windows applications on HDTV.
• The improved stability - during the work with Windows applications 7 and Windows 8.
• Optimization for the last Mac devices - support of Retina displays, USB interface 3.0 for Windows and Linux, SSD optimization and also economy of the battery.
• Multiple changes of the interface:
  • New library of virtual machines (virtual machine library) and a heap of opportunities in it.
  • New mechanism of work with the VMware Fusion windows (settings, snapshots, etc.).
  • Applications launch of Windows 7 and Windows 8 in the Unity mode.
  • Direct access to VMware Fusion Learning Center.

• Support of VM from guest Linux OS and 3D desktops - including Ubuntu 12.04 both the last releases of OpenSUSE and support of OpenGL.
• Restricted virtual machines is support of start and creation of the protected VM (see the section of Workstation 9).
• Virtual Performance Counter is performance counters of virtual machines for profiling of applications from guest OS (for example, using Intel vTune).
• Custom network configuration is a possibility of creation of specialized networks for laboratory, demonstrations and testing.
• Ulushcheny productivities and reliability of the transactions suspend, resume, pause, restart.
• Import of virtual machines in an OVF format.
• Change of loading devices of Mac OS X virtual machines.
• Improvements during the work with VM devices.
• Improvements of virtualization of instructions of VT-x/EPT.
• New VIX API for automation through perl or other scripting languages.
• Support of network loading of virtual machines on the basis of EFI.
• Metapackets (mpkg) for deployment of VMware Fusion on a large number of Mac computers.

2011

VMware Fusion 4

The VMware company announced in September, 2011 release of the new version of VMware Fusion 4 - the desktop virtualization platform for Mac computers. In a product there were more than 90 new opportunities and improvements which complete list is provided in documentation. Main new opportunities of VMware Fusion 4:

• Support of Mac OS X Lion (including a sound)
• Completely 64-bit platform based on Cocoa
• An opportunity to add installed applications of Windows to the Mac Applications folder and on Launchpad
• Support of the Mission Control functions
• Optimization for multi-core processors that allows to improve performance 3D - diagrams on OS X Lion
• Support of work of AutoCAD 2012 in virtual Windows 7
• New menu of settings
• The changed sections of VM library and management of snapshots
• Support of OS X Lion, OS X Lion Server, Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server and Mac OS X Leopard Server in the virtual machine
• Support of CentOS 6.0, Debian 6.0, FreeBSD 8.2, Mandriva 2010, openSUSE 11.4, SUSE of Linux 11 SP1, RHEL 6.0 and VMware ESX 5 in virtual machines

VMWare Fusion 4.1

The most impressive list of innovations is offered to users of VMware Fusion 4.1. Developers tried to consider the majority of the main claims and wishes which collected in two months which passed from the moment of release of the fourth version of the program. Some improvements were made with a careful eye to the main competitor of VMware Fusion, a system the virtualization of Parallels Desktop 7.0 put on the market approximately at the same time.

Upgraded version of VMware Fusion 4.1 for Mac OS differs in expanded support of the full-screen mode of OS X Lion and a number of small completions. For example, at cursor movement of a mouse in an upper part of the screen the panel of the menu is displayed not at once, and with a small delay that ensures more comfortable functioning and reduces the probability of an accidental call of the menu.

One of the most necessary functions, for the unknown reasons which is absent in version 4.0, users called automatic start of guest OS at start of the VMware Fusion program. The problem was solved, now for inclusion of the necessary option it is enough to check the Start automatically when VMware Fusion launches field in a dialog box of inline tunings.

The new version of Fusion 4.1 shows the increased graphics processing speed. In particular changes can be noticed at start of the Internet Explorer 9 browser in the guest mode. Developers promise a sixfold gain of performance in comparison with the previous version. Similar improvements will be noticed by users of the Mac OS X 10.7.2 operating system, and the guest version of Windows 7 is started much quicker now, than earlier. Among noticeable improvements It should be noted more productive work of a mouse in guest OS X Lion and fast changing of the sizes of the screen at activation and deactivation of a cover of Unity and the full-screen mode.

2010

VMware Fusion 3.1

VMware updated Fusion, the platform of desktop virtualization for Mac OS X, to version 3.1. Key innovation of release is called performance: affirms that work of the virtualized applications accelerated for 35% in comparison with the previous assembly of Fusion at number 3.0.

User interaction became "softer" thanks to quadruple acceleration of scrolling and 2D - diagrams in Windows Vista and Windows 7 and to fivefold acceleration of processing 3D - types. Hardware support of OpenGL 2.1 is implemented.

The Unity mode allowing Windows applications to be executed so as if they are own Mac-programs (i.e. outside a desktop and other Windows elements) got support of the blocked windows in Exposé and minimization in Dock.

From other new products of VMware Fusion 3.1: the simplified method USB- connections of devices to a host and a guest system, the accelerated assistant to migration, compatibility with guest Red Hat Linux Enterprise 5.4, Novell SUSE Linux 11 SP1, Canonical Ubuntu 8.0.4.4 and 10.04 OS, support to eight main cores and virtual hard drives up to 2 of Tb.

MacTech confirmed superiority of the sixth version of Parallels Desktop over VMware Fusion 3.1

The American magazine MacTech carried out the comparative Parallels Desktop 6 tests for Mac and VMware Fusion 3.1.1 and stated a convincing victory of the solution of Parallels. According to the results of tests of Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac advances VMware Fusion 3.1.1 in 84% of tests. In the field of graphic performance and during the work with files on network advantage of Parallels was absolute. A verdict of team of experts of MacTech - "a flawless victory of Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac"".

The testing methodology included assessment of speed of start and a stop of virtual machines, performance of input-output, speed of work with office programs (MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and Internet Explorer under Windows XP and Windows 7), influence of programs for virtualizations on high-speed performance of Mac OS X and also performance tests in 3D, executed with the help 3DMark06. From 400 Parallels Desktop 6 tests for Mac exceeded the main competitor in 336. Comparison of work with three-dimensional graphics revealed absolute superiority of the solution Parallels Desktop 6 – it in 92% of tests appeared quicker than the competitor. Were tested on four computers Apple – from MacBook in the most modest configuration to the high-performance MacPro workstation.

Commenting on an essential separation of the solution Parallels of the competitor on the website MacTech, the publisher and the Chief Editor of the magazine Neill Tiktin called progress of the sixth application version "a big jump forward" in comparison with Parallels Desktop 5 which also won a year ago a victory over VMware Fusion 3.0. The new version of Parallels Desktop works even better with "heavy" applications where the maximum computing power and 3D - performance is necessary. And numerous settings do Parallels Desktop 6 by a powerful and flexible solution thanks to which on computers of Apple it is possible to start the majority of modern games.

Notes